Non-strenuous under furniture exercise device

ABSTRACT

An under-furniture exercise device is presented that provides a non-strenuous workout that allows user to concentrate on day-to-day tasks. The exercise device interacts with computer software operating on a general purpose computer in order to provide an incentive for users to continue their exercise. The software receives data signals from the exercise device that allows the software to determine whether the exercise has fallen below a certain threshold. If so, the software issues a command to entertainment software or driver software that controls a device external to the computer. The command causes the entertainment software to alter its performance so that the alteration would be noticed by the user, and causes the driver software to change the operation of the external device in a similar manner. Multiple devices can be networked together for central monitoring, which can be used by health insurance providers to provide incentives to exercise.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to exercise equipment. More particular,the present invention relates to a small, under furniture exercisedevice under the control of software operating on a general purposecomputer that provides a computerized incentive to continue exercising.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many types of exercise equipment are known in the prior art. In mostcases, however, an individual must set aside time dedicated to using theequipment in order to obtain the exercise necessary for healthy living.There are few options available that allow exercise while the userperforms other tasks, and those that do exist suffer from lack of followthrough on the part of users. For instance, hand exercisers can be usedwhile watching television, talking on the telephone, or even having aconversation with friends. However, as the user's mind focuses onmatters other than exercise, the user will forget to keep up theexercise regimen. Before long, the hand exerciser is placed on a tableand forgotten, all without a conscious decision on the part of the userto stop exercising.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes these difficulties by creating anexercise device that can operate under a desk, table, or other piece offurniture. By providing a non-strenuous workout, the present inventionallows a user to concentrate on day-to-day tasks during periods ofexercise. Furthermore, the present invention interacts with computersoftware operating on a general purpose computer in order to provide anincentive for users to continue their exercise.

The exercise device is connected to the computer through a wireless orwired data link. Control and analysis software residing on the computeruses this data link to receive data signals from the exercise device andto send control signals to the exercise device. This software isresponsible for analyzing the data signals and outputting its analysisto the user. In order to motivate the user to use the exercise device,the software uses this analysis to issue commands to other software ifthe exercise has fallen below a certain threshold. In one embodiment,the other software is entertainment software, such as music or movieplayer software, wherein the instructions cause the entertainmentsoftware to alter its performance so that the user would notice thealteration. For instance, music software could cease operation or lowerits volume. In another embodiment, the other program is driver softwarefor an external device such as an alternating current plug into which aseparate electronic device is plugged. Similar to the first embodiment,the instructions cause the driver software to change the operation ofthe external device in order to provide a gentle reminder for the userto continue their exercise, such as to prevent electric current frompassing through the plug to a radio, television, or lamp.

Additionally, the exercise device can be designed to communicate with aportable, dedicated computing device having a simplified user interfacewith buttons for user input and a small screen for communicatingmessages to the user. The dedicated computing device stores the datafrom the exercise device for later download to the control and analysissoftware.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the present inventionexercise device located under a piece of furniture.

FIG. 2 is schematic diagram illustrating a first form for the exercisedevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is schematic diagram illustrating a second form for the exercisedevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is schematic diagram illustrating a third form for the exercisedevice of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a fourth form for theexercise device of FIG. 1

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating the environment in a generalpurpose computer in which control and analysis software operates incooperation with the exercise device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating a dedicated computer devicethat can be used to operate the exercise device of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the method of operating the exercise device ofthe present invention.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing multiple exercise devicesnetworked together for group management and health insurancereimbursement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Overview

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is a small exercise device 10designed to fit under an item of furniture 30. The furniture 30 can takethe form of a desk, a table, or any other furniture 30 that is held offthe floor by supports 32 and preferably has a relatively horizontal worksurface 34 above the exercise device 10. Residing on the work surface 34is a general purpose computer 100 that communicates with the exercisedevice 10 through a data link 40. This data link 40 can be a physicallink, such as that provided by the USB, IEEE 1394 (or “Firewire”), andEthernet protocols. Alternatively, the data link 40 can be a wirelesslink, such as that provided by the Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11 protocols.

The exercise device 10 is purposefully designed as a small machine forleg exercises requiring only a limited range of motion. In the preferredembodiment, the vertical movement of a user's legs during exercise is nomore that 4.5 inches. The device 10 is intended for non-strenuous,continuous exercise that can be performed while performing typicaldesk-based office tasks. The purpose is to allow a user to sit next tothe furniture and perform tasks on the work surface 34 while at the sametime exercising their legs on the exercise device 10. Of course, theuser of the device 10 may also be engaging in more leisure activities,such as playing a game, talking on the telephone, working on a puzzle,or watching television.

To keep the exercise device 10 in place, the device 10 can be secured tothe supports 32 of the furniture 30. In one embodiment, the machine ismanufactured together with the furniture 30, with the supports of thefurniture 32 being integrated directly into the case of the exercisedevice 10. In another embodiment, weight is added to the exercise device10 to keep it from moving during use.

The exercise device 10 includes an adjustable resistance mechanism 12that is designed to control the amount of resistance that the user willface when using device 10. As is known in the prior art, the resistancemechanism 12 could take the form of an electromagnetic device thatallows the resistance to be controlled through electronic signals. Theexercise device 10 receives instructions as to the appropriateresistance through data link 40. Control circuitry 14 receives theseinstructions and develops the appropriate electronic signals necessaryto provide the appropriate level of resistance at mechanism 12.

Exercise device 10 also includes data-gathering electronics 16, such asmagnet and magnetic sensor combinations that are able to countrepetitions or strides. These strides are made by the user exercisingtheir legs against the footpads 18 that move relative to the rest of theexercise device 12. The data that is obtained by the data gatheringelectronics is analyzed by the control circuitry 14 and is then sent viadata link 40 to the general purpose computer 100. In the preferredembodiment, the resistance mechanism 12, control circuitry 14, and thedata gathering electronics are contained within an outer housing 19 ofthe exercise device.

The general purpose computer 100 contains control and analysis software120 that receives the data signals 44 from the data link 40 and sendsthe control instructions over data link 40. This software 120 provides auser with the ability to control the workout settings for the exercisedevice 10, and to analyze the results of their workout. The software 120could take the form of a small “widget” type application, or alternativecould be normal application software running on the general purposecomputer 100. This software 120 is also responsible for providing thereminders and incentives to the user to continue their use of theexercise device 10, as is described in more detail below.

In addition to connecting the device to a general purpose computer 100,the exercise device 10 may also function utilizing a portable, dedicatedcomputing device 200. This dedicated device 200 connects to the exercisedevice through the same data link 40 described above, and has asimplified user interface that allows the user to control and monitorthe exercise device 10 in a manner similar to that provided by thecontrol and analysis software 120.

Exercise Device Alternatives

FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 disclose different embodiments for the exercisedevice 10. In FIG. 2, exercise device 10 is shown as a small, ellipticaltype machine 20 with two footpads 18 that move in an elliptical motion.This machine 20 secures the footpad 18 to an outer tube 24 that slidesover an inner rod 25. The inner rod 25 is secured to a stable attachmentpoint 26, while the outer tube 24 is attached to a rotating attachmentpoint 27. As the outer tube 24 moves along with the rotating attachmentpoint 27, the outer tube 24 will slide along the inner rod 25 as theinner rod 25 rotates about the stable attachment point 26, causing theattached foot pads 18 to move in an elliptical motion.

FIG. 3 shows exercise device 10 as a bicycle-type machine 21 in whichthe two footpads 18 move in a circular motion. In this case, thefootpads 18 have been directly attached to the rotating attachment point27 in such a way as to allow the footpads 18 to rotate like standardbicycle pedals. This machine 21 could be the same device 10 as theelliptical machine 20, with the outer tube 24 removed from the rotatingattachment point 27. The footpads 18 could be removed from the outertube 24 as shown in FIG. 3, or else the footpads 18 that attach directlyto the rotating attachment point 27 could be different than thoseattached to the outer tube 24.

FIG. 4 shows exercise device 10 as a leg-extension machine 22 in whichthe two footpads 18 move in a linear motion. In this case, the footpads18 are attached directly to a linearly moving attachment point 28. Thisattachment point 28 is attached to internal mechanical and electricaldevices that control resistance and gather exercise data such asmechanism 12 and electronics 16 shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 shows a skiing machine 23 in which the footpads 18 move in ashuffling or skiing motion. In this case, the footpads 18 are shownattached to outer tube 24 that is itself attached to the linearly movingattachment point 28. As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 4 and 5, thedirection of movement differs between machines 22 and 23 byapproximately forty-five degrees. It would be possible to create asingle exercise device 10 that converts between these machines 22 and 23by providing an ability to change the angle of linear motion, such as byrotating the internal mechanism and electronics together as a unit intothe desired position.

In each embodiment, the user moves the footpads 22 relative to the restof the exercise machine 10 against the resistance provided by resistancemechanism 12. The resistance mechanism 12 maybe mechanical,electro-magnetic, or any other known prior art mechanism used foradjusting resistance in exercise devices.

Preferably, each of these devices is small in size, requires littlerelative motion of the user's feet to complete the exercise, and can beset so that the resistance provides only minimal to moderate exertion onthe part of the user. In this way, the user can operate the exercisedevice 10 while continuing to focus on other tasks while sittingadjacent to the furniture 30. The goal is not to create a strenuousworkout, but allow the user the ability to perform constant, relativelystress-free exercise while engaging in their normal routine.

Control and Analysis Software

FIG. 5 shows the software environment of the general purpose computer100. The control and analysis software 120 receives input from the userand provides feedback to the user through the user interface 110 of thegeneral purpose computer 100, including the display 112 and speaker(s)114. The software 120 interacts directly with the exercise device 10 bysending control signals 42 to the device 10 and receiving data signals44 from the exercise device 10 via the data link 40.

The control signals 42 sent by the control and analysis software 120direct the operation of the exercise device 10 in part by specifying theresistance to be used. These control signals 42 are determined by thealgorithms contained within the control and analysis software 120, andpreferably are based upon parameters set by the user. For instance, auser may instruct the control and analysis software 120 that they wantthe exercise device to intermittently change resistance. The control andanalysis software 120 would contain the appropriate algorithm, and wouldinstruct the exercise device 10 to change resistance at appropriatetimes by sending the appropriate control signals 42 to the device 10. Ofcourse, it would be well within the scope of the present invention tohave a system in which no control signals 42 are ever sent to the device10. In this case, all controls for resistance and other settings wouldreside on the exercise device 10 itself, or else the device 10 would bepre-set to a particular settings without any option for change.

The data signals 44 received from the exercise device 10 containreal-time data relating to the use of the device 10, includingrepetition counts, speed, and force exerted. The control and analysissoftware 120 analyzes these data signals 44 and converts the signalsinto more useful information, such as simulated distance traveled,elapsed time, pace, and calories burned. This data can be graphed andoutputted through the user interface 110 for the benefit of the user. Inaddition, the control and analysis software can store the data inpermanent storage available on the general purpose computer 100. In thisway, data from multiple uses of the exercise device 10 can beaggregated, which allows long term goals to be tracked and compared withactual results. In addition, this data can be exported in a delimitedtext or standard spreadsheet format, thereby allowing external databaseand spreadsheet applications to access the user's exercise data.

One of the primary benefits of the present invention is the ability tomotivate a user to continue their exercise even while their mind isfocused on other activities. The control and analysis software 120provides this motivation by monitoring the data provided by the exercisedevice and issuing a reminder if the data indicates that the exercisehas fallen below a preset threshold. This threshold can be a defaultthreshold, or can be selected directly by the user. In its most simpleform, the reminder would be a simple audio or visual prompt on the userinterface 110 of the general purpose computer 100 generated directly bythe control and analysis software 120.

In the preferred embodiment however, the reminder takes the form of aninstruction or command 122 that is sent to another program 140, 150operating on the general purpose computer 100. These commands 122 areformulated according to the requirements of the operating system used bythe general purpose computer 100. Such commands are well known andunderstood in the prior art in at least the Windows. Unix, Linux, andMacintosh operations systems. The other program could be entertainmentsoftware 140, such as music or movie player software. In this case, theinstruction 122 instructs the entertainment software 140 to alter itsperformance so that the user would notice the alteration. For instance,a user working on a computer may be utilizing the productivity software130 while music player software 140 provides background music. Thecontrol and analysis software 120 monitors the data signals 44 receivedover the data link, and allows the music player software 140 to operatenormally as long as the user is using the exercise device at theestablished minimum level. When the user gets distracted and ceasestheir exercise, the control and analysis software 120 will notice thischange and send a command 122 instructing the music player software 140to change how it is operating. For instance, the music player software140 might lower the volume of the music, or stop playing musicaltogether. In this way, the user is gently reminded to continue theirexercise in order to keep the entertainment software operating normally.

Alternative, the control and analysis software could send theinstruction 122 to driver software 150 that controls a device that isexternal to the computer 100. For example, the driver software 150 couldoperate a remotely controlled power outlet 190 into which a separateelectronic device 192 could be plugged in. In this case, the instruction122 sent to the driver software 150 could cause the plug 190 to stopproviding current to the electronic device 192. By plugging a radio,television, or lamp into the plug 190, the present invention could tiecontinued use of the exercise device 10 to the ability to listen to theradio, watch television, or light a lamp.

One of the primary benefits of placing the intelligence of the controland analysis software 120 in a general purpose computer 100 is that itallows the exercise device 10 to be manufactured with limitedengineering and construction costs. The resistance mechanism 12 and thedata gathering electronics 16 are controlled by control circuitry 14,but this circuitry can involve limited to no software or firmware. Theonly function of the circuitry is to translate between the signals senton the data link 40 and the signals sent to the resistance mechanism 12and from the data gathering electronics 16. Since all the complicatedprogramming occurs in a general purpose computer software program 120,manufacturing, distribution, and upgrading costs are significantlyreduced. This feature also allows new versions of the control andanalysis software 120 to be easily downloaded over the Internet.

Dedicated Computing Device

FIG. 6 shows the preferred embodiment of the dedicated computing device200 that can be used with the exercise device 10. This dedicatedcomputing device 200 can be similar in size and complexity to standardbike computer. This type of computing device 200 can be used whencommunication with the general purpose computer 10 is impractical or incertain corporate settings where software installation on the generalpurpose computer 10 is not permitted. This device 200 uses the same datalink 40, control signals 42, and data signals 44 as the control andanalysis software 120 operating on a general purpose computer 100. Whilethis device 200 is referred to as a “dedicated” computing device, it ispossible to program a personal digital assistant (PDA) or an intelligentmusic player such as the iPod by Apple Computer to function as thededicated computer device 200.

This device 200 has a simplified user interface 210, generally havingseveral buttons 212 for user input and a small screen 214 for presentinginput prompts and data summaries to the user. The dedicated computingdevice 200 stores the data received from the exercise device 10 forlater download to the control and analysis software 120. This can beaccomplished by simply connecting the dedicated computing device 200 tothe same data link 40 used by the general purpose computer 100, and thentransmitting the data signals 44 stored on the dedicated device 200 tothe control and analysis software 120. In this way, a user can stilltrack all of the exercise performed on the exercise device 10 withoutneeding the general purpose computer 100 to be always available.

Method of Present Invention

FIG. 7 shows the method used by the present invention to interact withthe exercise device 10 of the present invention. The method begins byobtaining input from a user relating to the operation of the exercisedevice 10 positioned under furniture 30 at step 302. This input willnormally take place through the user interface 110 of a general purposecomputer 110. Next, at step 304, control signals 42 are sent to theexercise device 10 through data link 40 that cause the exercise device10 to operate as requested by the user. After this, the control andanalysis software 120 receives data signals 44 from the exercise deviceat step 306. In step 308, these data signals 44 are analyzed andconverted into more useful information about the exercise, such assimulated distance traveled and calories burned. The control andanalysis software 120 will also track the duration of the currentexercise regime. This information is then presented through the userinterface 110 at step 310, and stored for comparison and aggregationwith earlier data at step 312.

The information is also used at step 314 to determine whether thecurrent exercise being performed on exercise device 10 is sufficient tomeet the pre-established minimum level. If not, an instruction orcommand 122 is sent at step 316 to external software, such asentertainment software 140 or driver software 150. If the instruction122 is sent to entertainment software 140, then the software 140 will atstep 318 change its operating parameters so as to be noticeable to theuser. As explained above, such parameter changes might include reducingthe volume or ceasing the playing of music. If the entertainmentsoftware presents audio/video content, the parameter change might dim orremove the video component altogether. In any case, the parameter changeis designed to encourage the user to continue their exercise on thedevice 10, and thus the change will last only until exercise is resumed.

If the instruction 122 is received by driver software 150, then thedriver software will interpret the instruction 122 and send its ownsignal to an external device at step 320. The above example describesdriver software that could turn an alternating current outlet on andoff, thereby controlling power to any device plugged into the outlet.Many other external devices could also be directly controlled by thedriver software 150, including electronic devices like television setsand music receivers. In this case, the driver software 150 wouldinterface directly with the electronic device and instruct theelectronic device to change its functionality until the minimum level ofexercise is resumed.

System for Central Monitoring

FIG. 9 shows a networked system 400 in which multiple exercise devices10 are linked together through a network 410. One of the advantages ofthe present invention is that the exercise data created by the devices10 are analyzed by general purpose computers 100 in real time. It istherefore a trivial manner to program the control and analysis software120 to take advantage of network connections already established by thecomputers 100 to submit exercise data over the network 410 to a centralmanagement point, such as a computer 420 operated by corporatemanagement. The actual exercise data submitted over the network 410 neednot be the exact exercise data received from the exercise device 10 overthe data link 40. Instead, the control and analysis software 120 willpreferably summarize this data into a more useful format before sendingthe data over network 410. By using this system 400, a corporation couldplace the exercise devices 10 under the desks of its office workers, andthen could analyze the amount of exercise performed by its workers inreal time.

Furthermore, as health insurers have recently began reimbursing the costof health club memberships to their insureds, it is feasible that healthinsurance providers could use the present system 400 to encourageexercise. As shown in FIG. 9, a central health insurance monitoringfacility 430 can receive exercise data over the network 410 anddetermine whether the employees of an employer had met a goal for totalexercise. If so, the insurer could issue an insurance rebate check tothe employer or otherwise reduce the cost of health insurance for theemployer's workers.

The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from theabove description. Numerous modifications and variations will readilyoccur to those skilled in the art. Since such modifications arepossible, the invention is not to be limited to the exact constructionand operation illustrated and described. Rather, the present inventionshould be limited only by the following claims.

1. A exercise system comprising: a) an item of furniture having i) agenerally horizontal work surface, and ii) at least one support thatkeeps the work surface above a ground surface; b) an exercise devicelocated underneath the work surface and having i) data gatheringelectronics that gather exercise data, and ii) a data link through whichdata signals containing the exercise data are transmitted from theexercise device; c) a general purpose computer resting on the worksurface, connected to the data link, and having i) a general purposeoperating system capable of operating a plurality of applicationprograms; ii) a control and analysis software program that receives thedata signals from the data link and that transmits a command via thegeneral purpose operating system, the command being sent only when thedata signals indicate that a level of exercise currently being performedon the exercise device does not meet a minimal level; iii) a secondprogram that receives the command and changes its functioning inresponse to the command.
 2. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein thesecond program is an audio application program that creates an audiblesound, and in which the changed functioning relates to the audiblesound.
 3. The exercise system of claim 2, wherein the audible sound ismusic, and in which the changed functioning is to discontinue theplaying of the music.
 4. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein thesecond program is a visual application program that creates a visualimage on a display controlled by the general purpose computer, and inwhich the changed functioning relates to the visual image display. 5.The exercise system of claim 1, wherein the second program is a driverprogram that controls a device external to the general purpose computer,and wherein the changed functioning is to alter the operation of theexternal device.
 6. The exercise system of claim 5, wherein the externaldevice is a remote controlled electrical outlet, and wherein the changedfunctioning is to turn off the outlet.
 7. The exercise system of claim1, wherein after the command is sent, the control and analysis softwaresenses when the level of exercise meets a restarting level, after whicha second command is sent to the second program that reverses the changein functioning.
 8. The exercise system of claim 7, wherein the minimallevel and the restarting level are the same.
 9. The exercise system ofclaim 1, wherein the control and analysis software sends a controlsignal over the data link to the exercise device in order to change theoperation of the exercise device.
 10. The exercise system of claim 1,wherein the exercise device is chosen from the set including anelliptical machine, a bicycle-type machine, a skiing-type machine, and aleg-extension machine.
 11. The exercise system of claim 1, wherein theexercise device is a leg exercise device having a vertical range ofmotion of less than 4.5 inches.
 12. An exercise system comprising: a) anexercise device having i) an outer housing; ii) an electricallycontrolled resistance mechanism that determines a resistance level forthe exercise device, iii) data gathering electronics that gatherexercise data, and iv) a data link passing through the outer housingthrough which data signals containing the exercise data are transmittedfrom the exercise device and through which control signals that alterthe resistance control mechanism are received by the exercise device;and b) a general purpose computer external to the outer housing of theexercise device having i) a general purpose operating system capable ofoperating a plurality of application programs; ii) a word processingproductivity software program operating on the general purpose operatingsystem and that provides word processing capabilities; iii) a controland analysis software program operating on the general purpose operatingsystem, that (1) receives the data signals from the data link, (2)receives input relating to the resistance of the exercise device througha user input, (3) sends control signals to the exercise device throughthe data link to control the resistance of the resistance mechanism, and(4) transmits a command via the general purpose operating system, thecommand being sent only when the data signals indicate that a level ofexercise currently being performed on the exercise device does not meeta minimal level; iv) an entertainment control program operating on thegeneral purpose operating system that (1) controls an entertainmentrelated output that is perceptible outside the general purpose computer,and (2) receives the command and changes its functioning in response tothe command, wherein the change in functioning changes the entertainmentrelated output.
 13. An exercise system for workers in a workplacecomprising: a) a plurality of desks used by the workers; b) an exercisedevice under each desk, the exercise device having i) data gatheringelectronics that gather exercise data, and ii) a data link through whichdata signals containing the exercise data are transmitted from theexercise device; c) a general purpose computer on each desk that isconnected to the data link, each general purpose computer having i) ageneral purpose operating system capable of operating a plurality ofapplication programs, ii) a control and analysis software program that(1) receives the exercise device from the data link in real time, (2)controls the functioning of a second software program operating on thegeneral purpose computer based upon the exercise data, and (3) createsexercise summary data based upon the exercise data; d) a computernetwork linking together each of the general purpose computers; and e) acentral analysis computer different than the general purpose computersand linked to the computer network, the central analysis computerreceiving exercise summary data from each general purpose computer overthe computer network.
 14. The exercise system of claim 13, wherein thecentral analysis computer is operated for the benefit of a healthcareinsurance provider, and wherein the exercise summary data is used todetermine whether a financial incentive has been earned that effectivelyreduces the cost of providing health insurance for workers using theexercise devices.